ANDREW Lade is happy playing second grade for St Patrick’s — for now.
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The champion Cricket Albury-Wodonga all-rounder made 154 in an appearance for the Patties at the weekend and many rival clubs expect him to soon return to first-grade ranks.
But Lade is happy coaching St Patrick’s under 16s and playing alongside his son, Ryan.
“My sole intention was to come across to St Patrick’s, who are a great cricket club, to play cricket with my young fella,” Lade said.
“Right at this stage, that’s exactly what I’m doing.
“What I’m doing in three months’ time I don’t know.
“Will things change? I couldn’t tell you.
“I’m not looking that far ahead.”
Lade crossed to St Patrick’s this year after spending a decade with Tallangatta where he enhanced his reputation as one of the finest players of the modern CAW era.
He previously played for North Albury and SS and A.
Lade said he had enjoyed playing with his son in their second grade win against Wodonga Raiders at Birallee Park at the weekend.
Batting at No. 6 on Saturday, Lade made 154 in St Patrick’s 9-326 declared with Raiders managing just 77 in reply.
The Raiders were forced to follow on and were 9-135 at stumps.
Lade took 5-19 in the second innings.
“It was good fun,” he said.
“It was hard to watch the week before.
“My No. 1 job is coaching St Patrick’s under-16s and who knows what will happen other than that?
“They train a few times a week with the seniors and I’m just looking forward to developing the kids who have a lot of talent.”
While Wodonga is favourite to win back-to-back Provincial titles, St Patrick’s is also a legitimate contender and Lade’s inclusion would be a huge boost.